Medical marijuana bill moves forward in Columbia, clears Senate

Those suffering with epilepsy may soon have access to a drug that uses a marijuana extract. The bill cleared the S.C. Senate Wednesday and will head to the House floor.

The bill's primary sponsor is Senator Tom Davis. If signed into law, it would bring a clinical trial to MUSC for a drug that uses a cannabis compound called CBD. The extract does not include THC, the chemical responsible for a "high" effect.

Senator Davis says he will work to have the bill further amended in the House to make it easier to get the drug. He went on to say "Today was a big step forward. We are starting to change hearts and minds in SC about the therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana."

The bill will have a final reading in the Senate Thursday before it goes to the House floor.